Weird Science – as the new beer is appropriately called – is a 5.2-percent ABV pale ale described by Drake’s [Brewery] as “a very basic brew, meant to highlight the terpene profile of the genetically engineered High Sierra yeast strain created by Berkeley Brewing Science (BBS)” …. As such, the only ingredients are Warrior hops (which are used early in the boil exclusively for bitterness), two-row malt, and the BBS yeast. The unique ale officially debuted on July 25….
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“The original intent of BBS was to replace hop-derived aromatics with yeast-derived aromatics, so brewers can scale back their hop usage for more sustainable brewing. Hops require a lot of energy and water to grow, around 23 pints of water for every pint of beer produced!” [Drake’s brewmaster John Gillooly] explained. However, he then added that these unique yeasts could also simply serve as an additional tool in their brewing toolbox. “At Drake’s, we see this type of yeast as a compliment to hops, or another ingredient that puts flavor in the customers’ glass.”
